Turkish plane shot by Iranian weapon, report claims

Written By THA on Thursday, 28 June 2012 | 12:56

An image grab taken from a video uploaded on YouTube on February 11, 2012 shows the Syrian military using a Shilka anti-aircraft system. AFP PHOTO / YOUTUBE

A Turkish plane that was shot by Syria on June 22 was brought down by a weapon manufactured by Iran, daily Milliyet has reported.

The report cited daily al-Quds al-Arabi, an Arabic newspaper that publishes in the United Kingdom, as its source.

A Syrian expert in Damascus reportedly said the Turkish plane was shot down by an Iranian anti-aircraft weapon that was purchased by Syria two years ago. The weapon supposedly could be fitted on armored vehicles, the newspaper reported.

The unidentified expert said the Turkish plane was flying at a low altitude to avoid Syrian radars. "Turkish personnel were unaware that Syria possessed weapons that could hit targets flying at such low altitudes." (From online dispatches/Hurriyet Daily News)